Automatic barrel stacker and dispenser



W. E. ROSS April 26, 1938.

Filed April 19, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 fa/z'lliam .5". B065.

! a Z I April 26, 1938. w. E. ROSS 7 2,115,647

AUTOMATIC BARREL STACKER AND DISPENSER Filed April 19, 1957 5Sheets-Sheet 2 M'iiz'am E, R

April 26, 1938. w. E. ROSS 2,115,647

AUTOMATIC BARREL STACKER AND DISPENSER Filed April 19, 1937 5Sheets-Sheet 3 Swvwwbo'o w. E. Ross April 26, 1938.

AUTOMATIC BARREL STACKER AND DISPENSER 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 19,1937 April 26, 1938. w. E. ROSS 7 2,115,647

AUTOMATIC BARREL STACKER AND DISPENSER Filed April 19, 1957 5Sheets-Sheet 5 .4 an: i E n 1 7 1' 50 2 1 J2 J0 awwnvbvo A/i/Zz'am512066.

Patented Apr. 26, 1938 PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC BARREL STACKER ANDDISPENSER- William E. Ross, Milwaukee, Wis. Application April 19, 1937,Serial No. 137,807

3 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for filling, stacking andtransferring barrels or kegs of beer and other liquids.

The object of the invention is to provide an automatic barrel stacker ofinexpensive and duraable construction especially designed forinstallation in breweries and similar places and by means of whichbarrels, kegs and other containers, after being filled with beer andproperly bunged or sealed are caused to travel down inclined trackwaysto the discharge end of the stacker for delivery to a truck or otherconveyance, thereby obviating the disorder and confusion usuallyincident to the filling and handling of barrels or kegs in breweriesunder present methods.

A further object of the invention is to provide the stacker with a novelform of brake for retarding and controlling the movement of the barrelsor kegs on the inclined trackways and preventing jamming of said barrelsso that the barrels will roll smoothly and uniformly on the tracks fromthe intake end of the stacker to the discharge end thereof.

A further object is to provide the discharge end of the stacker with afoot actuated tripper member so disposed with relation to the adjacenttrack that, when said member is in one position, it will act as a stopor barrier to prevent the discharge of the kegs or barrels from thestacker and when in another position will receive one of the barrelsthereon and from which member said barrel may be transferred to adelivery truck, the removal of the barrel from the tripper memherserving to automatically return said tripper member to normal positionso as to prevent the discharge of another barrel until the tripper isagain actuated by the foot pedal.

A further object is to arrange the inclined tracks in superposedrelation with opposite ends of adjacent tracks connected by curvedplates which serve to guide the barrels from one track to anotherwithout undue friction thereon.

A still further object of the invention is generally to improve thisclass of apparatus so as to increase its utility, durability andefficiency.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and inwhich similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts 5 inall the figures of the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of one unit of a filling, stacking andtransferring apparatus constructed in accordance with the presentinvention showing the. apparatus in juxtaposition to 55 the barrelfilling mechanism,

Figure 2 is a top plan view,

Figure 3 is an enlarged side elevation, partly in section, of theforward end of the apparatus,

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure3,

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional View taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 3,

Figure 6 is a perspective view of one of the braking members and itsassociated parts detached;

Figure '7 is a transverse sectional view of one of the brake shoes,

Figure 8 is an enlarged side elevation, partly in section, of thedischarge end of the apparatus,

Figure 9 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 99 of Figure8,

Figure 10 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line |ll--l 0 ofFigure 9 showing the tripper member in position to act as a stop orbarrier 20 for the barrels on the stacker, and

Figure 11 is a similar view showing the tripper member in position toreceive one of the barrels from the stacker.

The improved automatic barrel stacking appa- 25 ratus may be constructedin any desired number of units according to the capacity of the breweryin which it is installed and the number of dispensing faucets employed,it being preferred to mount a single unit opposite each dispensing ap-30 paratus, and in Figure 1 of the drawings, I have shown a single unitdisposed in juxtaposition to the barrel filling mechanism, indicated at5. The apparatus comprises a structural iron framework consisting ofupper, lower and intermediate 35 longitudinal sills 6, 1, and B,respectively, preferably formed of angle iron and riveted, welded orotherwise rigidly connected by vertical braces 9 also preferably formedof angle iron, as shown, said longitudinal sills defining superposedrunways H), H, and I2 for the passage of barrels, kegs or othercontainers, indicated at It. The longitudinal sills of the framework areconnected at spaced intervals by transverse sills 14 on which aremounted standard tracks IS, the tracks of 45 each runway being slightlyinclined so as to permit barrels deposited on the intake portion of theupper runway W to roll down the several tracks to the discharge end ofthe apparatus, as will be more fully explained hereinafter. The forwardend of the apparatus is provided with a receiving table l6 connected tothe adjacent vertical sills 9 by an inclined brace ll and the upperportion of this table is provided with upstanding guard flanges IB toprevent displacement of a barrel when placed in position thereon. Guideflanges I9 are also preferably secured to the intermediate longitudinalsills 8 at the forward end of the apparatus, and inclined braces 20 aredisposed beneath the flanges I9 and connected to the adjacent uprights 9to assist in reinforcing the structure. The ends of the tracks of theupper runway I0 are preferably curved downwardly, at 2 I, so as topresent a smooth curved surface for contact with the barrels while thetracks of the runway II at the rear end of the apparatus are curvedupwardly and forwardly, as indicated at 22, so as to form guides fordirecting the barrels from the upper runway I0 onto the tracks of therunway II. The forward ends of the tracks of the lower runway I2 arecurved upwardly and rearwardly, as indicated at 23, to form curvedguides similar in construction to the guides 22 and which serve todirect the barrels from the runway II onto the tracks of the lowerrunway I2. The tracks on the runway II are also preferably curveddownwardly and laterally, as indicated at 24, so as not to interferewith free movement of the barrels or kegs in their passage from onerunway to the other. The rear or discharge end of the stacker ispreferably reinforced and strengthened by the provision of diagonalbraces 25 having their ends riveted or otherwise secured to anchoringplates 26 mounted on the adjacent uprights 9 and their points ofintersection secured to a bridge plate 21, as best shown in Figure 8 ofthe drawings.

In order to retard or control the passage of barrels or kegs in thedifferent runways, I have provided suitable brakes 28 and 29, one ofwhich is mounted in the runway I I for contact with the barrels rollingtherethrough and the other mounted in the runway I2 for contact with thebarrels on their passage through said runway to the discharge end of theapparatus. The brakes 2B and 29 each comprises spaced longitudinallydisposed shoes 30 having their lower faces covered with any suitablebrake lining material 3I and as both brakes and the shoes carriedthereby are of similar construction, with the exception of the locationof their pivotal points, a description of one will suffice for both. Theforward ends of the shoes 30 of the brake 29 are welded or otherwiserigidly secured to a connecting yoke 32 while the rear ends of the brakeshoes are pivotally mounted at 33 on transverse angle irons 34 extendingbeneath the rails of the runway II so that said brake shoes whendepressed will bear against the barrels in the runway I2. Pivotallymounted at 35, on the opposite ends of the yoke 32 are suspension links36, the upper end of one of which is pivotally connected, at 31, to theshort end of a bell crank lever 38, while the end of the other link ispivotally connected to a crank arm 38. The bell crank lever 38 and crankarm 38 are connected by a bar or rod 39 extending transversely of theframework and pivotally mounted, at 40, on the long arm of the bellcrank lever 38 is an actuating rod H which extends longitudinally of theapparatus on one side thereof and is provided near its terminal withspaced teeth or serrations 42 for engagement with a latch plate 43. Theactuating rod M is provided with a terminal handle 44 so that byelevating the handle end of the rod until the teeth 42 clear the latchplate 43 and exerting a longitudinal pull on the actuating bar the bellcrank lever 38 will be tiltedand thus force the yoke 32 carrying thebrake shoes 30 downwardly in the path of the barrels on the stacker forthe purpose of arresting or entirely stopping the passage of saidbarrels when desired. Similar actuating rods 45 extend from the brakeshoes of the brakes 28 to the rear portion of the apparatus, as shown,so that the brakes 28 and 29 can be actuated either simultaneously orsuccessively as the occasion may require.

Secured to the opposite sides of the supporting frame at the dischargeend thereof are spaced plates 46 between which is pivotally mounted fortilting movement a tripper member 41. The tripper member 41 comprises atransverse shaft 48 pivotally mounted in the side plates 46 and to whichis rigidly secured spaced blocks 49, the upper faces of which are curvedto form a seat for the barrels or kegs. Disposed beneath the tripper 41and spaced therefrom are rails 50 constituting rests or supports forsaid tripper member and connected with the rear ends of the blocks 49 isa substantially L-shaped bar 5I adapted to rest on the adjacenttransverse rail 50 when the tripper is moved to a position to receiveone of the barrels from the adjacent runway. It will thus be seen thatthe rear transverse track 58 by engagement with the L-shaped bar 5Iserves to limit the pivotal movement of the tripper in one directionwhile a bar 52 connecting the blocks 49 by engagement with the othertrack 50 serves to limit the pivotal movement of the tripper in theother direction. Secured to one end of the transverse shaft 48 is acrank arm 53 to which is pivotally connected, at 54, the adjacent end ofa foot pedal 55, said pedal being pivotally mounted at 56, on theadjacent plate 46 and provided with a terminal tread surface 51. Undernormal conditions, the tripper 41 will be in the position shown inFigure 10 of the drawings, that is to say, with its rear end extendingupwardly in front of and above the plane of the tracks of the lowerrunway I2 so that said tripper acts as a stop or barrier to confine thebarrels in position on the stacker. When the lever 55 is depressed withthe foot, however, the rear end of the tripper will be swung downwardlyon its pivotal axis to a position in alinement with the tracks of thelower runway, as best shown in Figure 11 of the drawings, and in whichposition one of the barrels in the lower runway will engage the concaveseat of the tripper so as to permit an attendant to readily remove a kegor barrel therefrom and deposit the same in a delivery truck or otherconveyance. As the barrel is removed from the tripper, said barrel willbear against the forward end of the tripper and thus return the tripperto the position shown in Figure 10 of the drawings and in which positionthe rear end of the tripper will prevent further delivery of the barrelsuntil the foot pedal is again operated.

As previously stated, the stacker-s may be constructed in gangs orunits, each unit consisting of one or more of the stackers and theirassociated parts and in installing the stackers in a brewery, saidstackers are positioned in front of and adjacent to the beer dispensingapparatus 5. Under the present procedure of filling barrels or kegs withbeer in breweries, it is customary to fill the barrels at the dispensingfaucets and then throw or kick the barrels to one side with the resultthat the floor of the brewery soon becomes littered up with filledbarrels necessitating their constant removal in order to provide spacefor the operators to perform their duties. If the barrels are notremoved immediately after being filled, they will soon accumulate inlarge quantities on the floor of the brewery and materially interferewith the workmen. According to the present invention, an empty barrel orkeg is placed on the receiving table I6 and filled with beer from thedispensing apparatus and the filled keg properly bunged or sealed. Asthe kegs are successively filled, they will roll by gravity downthe,upper runway 10 onto the runway i l and thence to the runway l2,being guided in their passage at the ends of the tracks by the curvedshields 22 and 23. The runways will soon become filled or partiallyfilled with barrels and the first barrel placed on the receiving tablewill ultimately roll to a position in contact with the end of thetripper 4! where further movement thereof will be arrested. During thepassage of the barrels in the different runways, it often happens thatthe motion of said barrels will become accelerated to such an extent astocause jamming thereof and in this event the movement of the barrelscan be retarded or entirely arrested by actuating the brakes 28 and 29which, as before stated, will frictionally bear against the barrels inthe adjacent runway and hold them against further movement until thecongestion is relieved. The barrels at the discharge end of the stackermay be individually and successively removed therefrom by depressing thefoot pedal in the manner previously described so that, while one barrelis being transferred from the tripper ll to a delivery wagon, there isno danger of any of the other barrels in the stacker being accidentallydischarged or released therefrom.

It will, of course, be understood that the devices may be made indifferent sizes and shapes and provided with any desired number ofbrakes without departing from the spirit of the invention. It will alsobe understood that where several of the beer dispensers are disposed inclose proximity to each other the tracks of certain of the runways maybe curved inwardly from the outer ends of the stackers towards saiddispensing apparatus so as to conserve space in the brewery.

From the foregoing description, it is thought that the construction andoperation of the device will be readily understood by those skilled inthe art and further description thereof is deemed unnecessary.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. An apparatus of the class described comprising a supporting frame, aninclined barrel runway mounted on the frame, spaced tracks forming apart of said runway, a tripper member pivotally mounted on the frame: atthe discharge end of the runway and including spaced blocks having theirupper faces concaved, a shaft carrying said blocks and rotatably mountedtransversely of the runway, front and rear transverse bars connectingthe blocks, spaced rests disposed beneath the tripper member in positionto be engaged by said bars and support the tripper in adjustedpositions, a crank arm fixed to said rocker shaft and extendinglaterally therefrom, and a foot pedal opcratively connected with thecrank arm for rotating the shaft and adjusting the tripper member, thefront transverse bar by engagement with one of the rests serving tosupport the tripper member in a discharging position with inner ends ofthe blocks in the path of the barrels in the runway and the reartransverse bar by engagement with the other rest serving to support thetripper member in an upright position with inner ends of the blocks inalinement with the tracks of the adjacent runway to permit the passageof a single barrel from said runway onto the blocks of the trippermemher.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, a supporting frame, aninclined barrel runway mounted on the frame, spaced brake bars pivotallymounted at one end on the frame within the runway, a connecting yokesecured to the free ends of the brake bars and extending transverselythereof, a rocker shaft rotatably mounted transversely of said frame,lever arms carried by said shaft, links connecting said arms with endsof said yoke, an operating rod operatively connected with one lever armand extendlng longitudinally of the frame, and a keeper for holding therod in an adjusted position.

3. In a device of the class described, a supporting frame, an inclinedbarrel runway mounted on the frame, brake bars spaced transversely fromeach other and pivotally mounted on the frame within the runway, a yokeextending transversely across and secured to said brake bars, a rodextending transversely of the frame and rotatably mounted therein, abell crank lever carried by one end of the rod and having one arm longerthan the other, a radical arm carried by the other end of the rod, anoperating lever connected with the long arm of the bell crank lever andleading to an end of the frame, a link forming a pivotal connectionbetween one end of the yoke and the short arm of the bell crank lever,and a second link forming a pivotal con nection between the other end ofthe yoke and the radial arm on said rod.

WILLIAM E. ROSS.

